RUM "I AM NOT GOING INTO THAT WATER." I turned away from the damn lake and its beautiful, deadly clear turquoise waters. "Keithen!" Magnus came after me. "Stop this childishness at once!" And Ellis put himself in front of me, and I halted, glaring at him, his mouth in a grim line. "Keithen," his smooth voice began. "I know this sounds crazy—." "Damn right it does." I was furious. "He really wants me dead, doesn't he? Like my predecessor.” "No, he doesn't." Ellis was as patient as a fucking kindergarten teacher. "We've already explained it to you—that special ability comes out when your body feels threatened." "That's just your speculation. You've got no proof." Magnus appeared beside Ellis, looking as pissed as Dan was when the press got hold of a photo of me with two naked models. "Alright, you’re right—we guessed it. But it wasn't a wild guess, you mutt. So you can quit that smile of yours " I spread my lips wider. Ellis interjected. "Joe once said that he started seei
ROSE Mrs. Hook didn’t show up for dinner. So I ate alone in my room. Potato stew with boiled carrots—at least that’s what I thought it was, based on the grainy texture, the starchy taste and the orange bits floating in my wooden bowl. The room was as large as Rum’s bedroom back at the penthouse, which gave me a cozy feeling and at the same time anxiety and worry. I still wasn’t sure if Rum would come back for me. I’m in a world completely new to me. Though I learned a few things from Rum, they weren’t complete. And his absence made me feel more like a speck of dust in a giant world; I have absolutely no idea what’s gonna happen or how I’m supposed to act to keep myself safe; I have zero control over my circumstances and my future, being blown around wherever suitable for the others. Even the slightest breeze could blow me away. Fuck. I turned from the moon outside the window and stared at the queen size bed, the wheels in my mind churning. I can’t stay here and do nothing.
ROSE Umberto grabbed hold of the chair. “Miss Rose! Let go now!” “NO, YOU LET GO!” I cried and pushed forward. How much of a failure can I be! Slam the chair onto the werewolf when he crashed through the door, it’s that simple. Yet, the second I swung the chair down, the werewolf caught it before it hit his head. Goddamn it! “The Luna says you need to rest! Goddess blast it, Miss Rose!” He tried to pull the chair out of my grasp. “Let go! This thing’s too much for you!” “I’m not a fucking wimp, you asshole!” I shouted back. But I knew he was telling the truth—if he weren’t holding onto the chair, I wouldn’t be able to carry it for this long. My neck is starting to feel a bit sore. “You let go!” I screamed. “You can’t carry it!” Umberto roared. “You’re hurt!” He could yank it away from me—but I could tell he was afraid that doing so would make me pull a muscle too. ARGH! Fine! I failed. I let go and he lifted it like a weekend bag and replaced it on the ground. The
ROSE “It’s just a bruise. I’ll get you a neck brace. Don’t strain your neck too much and the bruises will go away in a day or two.” The doctor closed his bag. “Are you sure?” Rum pointed at my neck. “One of her vessels ruptured!” And the doctor cast him a deadpan look. “You’re welcome to get a second opinion. All her vessels are intact. Her throat looks fine—.” “But you didn’t even use those machines to scan her throat!” “Look here, buddy. You need to start extending your trust beyond machines. I've done a thorough check on her: her throat isn’t swollen; her voice is weak but solid; she can talk without any sign of pain or discomfort. So her neck is well." Just as Rum opened his mouth to rebut, the doctor swiftly added, "Except for the bruises, of course. So a neck brace is my prescription.” The doctor maintained his frown at the displeased superstar. “Regardless of what you think, your assistant is in no life threatening danger.” With that, the older man disappeared behi
ROSE The sound of a fabric tearing—and my panties were ripped off. A sense of thrill shot to my throat as my knees were pushed wide apart. I propped on my elbows, my breathing heavy, and a handsome gaze was fixed on me, its striking blue shade in the same intensity as what I saw earlier, at Crystal Valley. “Here’s what I’ll do each time you look at another guy—.” And his face disappeared between my thighs. Then, I felt something moist and warm—his lips! “Rum!” A tingly feeling shot up my spine like a needle. “Oh shit!” He was kissing me down there. Kissing and sucking and licking. Oh God, his tongue….. This isn’t right. But it felt… goddamn good….. A wave of bliss seized me and I came hard screaming his name. Before I came down from the extravagant feelings, I felt his gorgeous lips again, and it started all over again. ***** “OH FUCK!” I convulsed for the third time, spasming like a fish out of water, gasping for air as though there was none. I clutched the sheets ha
RUM What the fuck is so funny about what I just said? Jesus Christ… can she leave now? Rose is alone with Ambrose and I can't focus on what they were saying because of the yapping inside here. "Are you sure you don't want to use my team of specialists? They can do a much better job. I mean, they're medical specialists. Highly regarded in the field." The heiress smiled sweetly. Fuck. Now she wants me to go back to work? Didn't I just say that it's nice to take a break? I smiled back with the same sweetness. "I'm good, Miss Sparks—." "Goldie!" She screamed, her eyes spitting fire. And I went silent. Goddamn it. This is all Dan's fault. Why did he even agree to this? This bitch is crazy. Money. It's all for the sake of the fucking money. Deal with it, boy. That old geezer's voice echoed at the back of my mind. ARGH! I want a morning with Rose—not this… fucking hyena! "Goldie," I began, mustering a nice smile. "I hope this break gives me all the rest I need. I'll giv
RUM “I told you not to speak, you fucking witch!” The princess was shrieking her highest and angriest. Panic seized me. Rose! Jesus Christ! Can't the princess pick a better place and time for a catfight? I should’ve sent Rose away earlier. What if she hurt her neck again? I tried to appeal to the Alpha of the White Crown pack. “Ellis, I need to get to Rose.” But Magnus quickly lunged forward, wanting to grab me. And I backed away further to the bathroom, jerking up a hand to call for a truce. “Alright! Chill. Everyone, please! I'll stay. But let Ambrose go. Let him check on Rose. And we’ll talk in here.” The Alphas exchanged glances. Then, carefully, Ellis released his hostage. And I muttered to the recovering Delta, “Make sure she doesn’t hit again. Make sure Goldie doesn’t come in here.” Ambrose nodded with a grunt and left. “Close the door and lock it.” I looked at Ellis. And as soon as the Alpha did, the other one came for my neck. But I—PHWOOP!—and pounced out
ROSE ‘Ambrose?’ A giant wolf of the blackest night shot out from the side of the window—its blue eyes in the sharpest glow… of anger. ‘Open the fuck up,’ a deep voice growled. As soon as I did, it pounced in and—PHWOOP!—turned into the most gorgeous man in the U.R.T., whose head is almost touching the ceiling of my room. ‘Did I ruin your rendezvous with him?’ He stepped closer. In the glow of the moon, he looked twice as sexy—that damp hair combed back, some loose strands falling carelessly over his angry forehead—those thick brows knitted in fury—the white shirt sticking to his biceps and chest, its collar wide open for me to feast upon the form of his muscles, forcing me to recall the feel of them underneath my fingertips…. ‘Answer me, Rose,’ he demanded in a jealous rage that made my heart flutter like a crazy butterfly. ‘Are you having a secret meeting with Ambrose?’ ‘No.’ I held his gaze. ‘Don’t you dare lie to me.’ He gritted his teeth. ‘I’ve warned you… if you e